FOREST BOUNDARIES. 13 



a. Natural Boundaries. 



Natural boundaries are : 



Water-partings, 



Water-courses, 



Marked trees, etc. 



With the exception of water-partings no natural boundaries 

 are very permanent. Streamer frequently alter their course, 

 and trees are liable to die or be blown over or cut down.* At 

 the same time, wherever the course of a stream is fairly well 

 fixed, as in a deep valley, such a natural feature forms a good 

 and economical boundary between two properties. In the 

 case of water-courses, mid-stream is generally considered the 

 boundary as in Fig. 5. Where deposits of new land occur, 

 they belong as a rule to the proprietor who owns the shore 

 along which they occur. If several owners participate in the 



Fig. 5. "Water-course with boundary marks. 



shore, the new boundaries are indicated by producing the 

 original boundary line through the new accretion to the water- 

 side as shown in Fig. 4. In the case of erosion and re-deposit, 

 laws differ ; in some cases, the owners can claim the area thus 

 lost and re-deposited. In other cases, as in certain parts of 

 British India, new islands formed in the middle of a river 

 belong to the State. Owners are allowed to prevent erosion 

 by artificial works, fixing the banks, etc. It is not, however, 

 permissible to induce deposits by artificial means. 



For greater security natural boundary lines may be marked 

 by numbered marks similar to those described below for arti- 

 ficial boundaries. If the centre of a stream is the boundary, 



* Pollarded trees often serve as boundary itiarks in private forests near the 

 river Rhine. They are thus easily distinguished from the other trees, that are 

 not pollarded. Slips of poplars or willows may be planted on favourable soil to 

 serve as boundary marks. These may be subsequently pollarded. In India, 

 species of Ficus may be used. 



